Capturing Stardom: The Timeless Portraits of Don Bachardy

Capturing Hollywood’s Soul: Don Bachardy’s Timeless Portraits of Stars and Stories

For nearly seventy years, Don Bachardy has been the go-to portrait painter for a multitude of Hollywood stars, crafting captivating likenesses from the golden age of film icons to contemporary A-listers. Known for his immaculate portrayals of celebrities such as Bette Davis, Marlene Dietrich, and Angelina Jolie, Bachardy’s work represents a unique intersection of art and celebrity culture. His life’s work is currently showcased at the Huntington Library in a poignant exhibition titled “Don Bachardy: A Life in Portraits,” which runs from April 12 through the end of August. This immense collection not only highlights Bachardy's artistic genius but also serves as a time capsule that chronicles the evolution of Hollywood through the faces of its most cherished figures.

Bachardy's artistic journey began in simple yet intimate circumstances. Growing up in a family that fostered a love for the arts, he often accompanied his mother to early morning movie showings, which planted the seeds of an enduring fascination with performance and personas. His early inspirations were grounded in the movies he watched, with iconic films igniting his imagination. An unforgettable moment came at the age of four when he first laid eyes on Bette Davis in *Jezebel*. The impact was profound, marking a pivotal entrance into his lifelong passion for capturing the essence of his subjects. Bachardy's early artistic endeavors were encouraged by his older brother, who introduced him to drawing and, ultimately, to the world of painting.

Bachardy's rise as a notable artist took a transformative turn when he met his life partner, Christopher Isherwood, a prominent author known for his groundbreaking works that examined queer themes in literature. Their first encounter on Valentine’s Day in 1952 set the stage for a creative partnership that would flourish over three decades. Isherwood not only mentored Bachardy in fine arts but also catalyzed connections within Hollywood, leading him to paint some of the most recognizable faces in the industry. This relationship had a significant influence on both men’s works; Isherwood's narratives were enriched by Bachardy’s artistic perspective, while Bachardy’s portraits became infused with the emotional depth drawn from their shared experiences and struggles.

The house they shared, located in Santa Monica Canyon, became a vibrant hub for creativity. With its stunning views and artistic atmosphere, it was the perfect backdrop for both Bachardy's artwork and Isherwood's writing. Their home stirred up a unique synergy that deeply influenced their artistic outputs. Bachardy often painted Isherwood in various states, reflecting their life together, including the somber yet intimate portraits created during Isherwood’s final months battling prostate cancer. Their enduring bond is not merely captured through portraiture but is woven into the very storytelling of cinema worldwide, illustrating the complexities of love, identity, and shared experiences within the Hollywood milieu.

Bachardy’s studio today remains a treasure trove of portraits, housing images of celebrated figures such as Frances McDormand and Jerry Brown, along with hundreds of works centering on Isherwood. Those who sit for Bachardy are likely to experience a deeply nuanced session; he favors a tight focus on sustained stillness and silence, which is essential to his artistic process. Each portrait session unfolds as a personal odyssey, where the true essence of the sitter is meticulously drawn out and captured in real time. Notable sitters, such as Angelina Jolie, have praised him for his ability to encapsulate the soul and spirit of the subject, with Jolie describing her experience as transcendent, emphasizing the “magic” of his technique.

In recent years, Bachardy's timeless connection to Hollywood has also been met with the threat of natural disaster. Last January, as fires encroached on his home in the Palisades, a sense of urgency prompted an evacuation. Yet, true to his character and commitment to his art, Bachardy returned to his sanctuary, reaffirming his ties to the legacy he has cultivated. At 90, he still manifests a child-like enthusiasm for his work, noting that his portraits are not merely representations but a living history of the myriad personalities that have crossed his path.

The influence of Don Bachardy’s artistic contributions can’t be overstated. His portrayals offer a raw yet refined glimpse into the cinematic world, transcending mere representation to capture the complexities of his subjects’ emotions and identities. Surrounded by this extensive archive of portraiture, it becomes evident that Bachardy is more than just an artist; he is a custodian of Hollywood’s vibrant history, preserving the spirit of an era defined by unparalleled artistry and charisma. His work stands as a testimony, not only to the individuals he has painted but also to the cultural zeitgeist of the time, cementing his place in the annals of artistic and cinematic history. The exhibition at the Huntington Library is a celebration of a remarkable career that continues to resonate across generations, capturing the unyielding allure of the stars who light up our screens.